How Pro Cyclists Use Drafting Behind Cars to Build Speed and Stamina

You’ve seen it. You know what I’m talking about.

A pro cyclist, hunched over their tiny bike, so close to a car bumper you could practically see the dimple in the paint.

What’s going on here? Is it a high-speed chase? Is this part of the Tour de France, or is the rider just taking a shortcut?

Nah, this is motor pacing—an essential, albeit strange, training method that builds raw speed and stamina.

But let’s break this down before we all start thinking the pros are just playing chicken with cars for fun.

1. What’s Motor Pacing, Anyway?

Motor pacing isn’t about racing against a car (though it sure looks like that sometimes).

It’s a training technique where cyclists ride behind a motorized vehicle—usually a car or scooter—at high speeds.

The vehicle acts like a wind shield, offering the rider a break from the wind resistance and allowing them to ride faster than they normally could.

But here’s the kicker: It’s not just about speed. It’s a whole different animal when it comes to improving performance.

And unlike those solo training sessions where you feel like you’re pedaling through molasses, this tactic mimics the surges, coasting, and power output fluctuations that happen in real races.

2. Power Fluctuations – A Real Race Simulation

Ever noticed how cyclists in big races seem to be pedaling like maniacs one second and coasting the next?

That’s the essence of motor pacing. In training, it helps simulate the unpredictable nature of a race, where power isn’t just applied steadily.

The vehicle’s speed lets riders experience varying intensities—high speeds with minimal effort, followed by bursts of power.

Training your body to handle these shifts in cadence and force builds the adaptability needed for peak performance during the grind of a long race.

3. Leg Speed and Cadence – It’s All About the High Revs

Motor pacing is a game changer when it comes to leg speed. The rider can focus on turning their legs over at a faster cadence (the rate at which your legs move in a pedal stroke) with low resistance.

This helps build the neuromuscular system that supports high-cadence efforts. It’s like the power moves of the cycling world: quick bursts that increase leg speed without overwhelming the muscles with torque.

You’ll see these guys zooming past you at 60 km/h, but trust me—they’re not putting their full weight on the pedals.

4. Aerodynamic Gains – The Shiny Halo of Drafting

You know that feeling when you’re cycling solo and the wind feels like an invisible enemy?

Well, motor pacing is a bit of a cheat code for that. By riding right behind a vehicle, cyclists reduce their air resistance, allowing them to ride much faster without expending extra energy.

It’s like having a personal bodyguard against wind. In some cases, the vehicle even has a special roller bar designed to keep the rider from getting too close (because we all know what happens when you get too close to something moving that fast—bad news).

So yeah, not only are the cyclists flying, but they’re doing it with less effort.

5. Practicing Group Dynamics – Riding in the Peloton (Without the Actual Peloton)

Motor pacing helps cyclists train for one of the most important aspects of race-day riding: the peloton.

No, not the bike-sharing app. We’re talking about that tight pack of riders you see in a race, moving in harmony to conserve energy.

Practicing behind a car simulates that feeling of riding in a group. It builds the stamina required for high-speed bunch riding, especially when moving through corners or accelerating on short climbs.

6. Power at High Speeds – The Human Jet Engine

Ever wonder how these pros go so fast without looking like they’re about to explode? It’s not magic. It’s motor pacing.

By training at high speeds (upwards of 60 km/h), riders are forced to tap into a different kind of energy output.

While the car shields them from the wind, the sheer speed forces their cardiovascular system to adapt, increasing their aerobic capacity.

Imagine a jet engine where the cyclist is the turbo boost, not the fuel tank. This builds stamina that’s needed to sustain high efforts in a real race scenario.

7. The Safety Net – Getting Back on Track After a Mechanical

Motor pacing isn’t always about speed. Sometimes, it’s just about recovery. Imagine you’re in the middle of a race and you get a flat or your chain snaps.

In this case, training behind a car can simulate a ride back to the peloton after a mechanical mishap.

It’s a way to practice catching up and getting back into the rhythm without completely burning out. It’s like a pit stop for cyclists, minus the tools and pit crew.

Point	What You Get
Motor Pacing	Training behind a vehicle to build speed and endurance.
Race Simulation	Mimics power fluctuations seen in actual races.
Leg Speed	Improves cadence and leg turnover.
Aerodynamic Advantage	Reduces air resistance, allowing faster cycling at lower effort.
Group Riding Practice	Simulates peloton dynamics and the energy conservation of drafting.
High-Speed Power	Increases stamina and aerobic capacity at high speeds.
Mechanical Recovery	Allows cyclists to practice getting back to the pack after a setback.

Conclusion

Motor pacing isn’t just some absurd stunt these pros do to look cool. It’s a calculated, dirty little secret of top-tier training.

They’re not just trying to look fast. They’re training their bodies to sustain insane speeds, to glide through wind as if it’s nothing, to survive in the chaotic dance of a peloton.

You might think it’s just about sticking close to a bumper, but behind every millisecond they gain, there’s a quiet, grueling sacrifice.

And when they roll up to that start line, they don’t just look fast—they are. That’s the real game.